THE PARIS EXHIBITION

Press, Volume LVII, Issue 10738, 18 August 1900, Page 7

THE PARIS EXHIBITION

Another interesting article from the pen of 'Miss ConsUt—ce A. Barnicoat, with reference to the Paris Exhibition, is to be published in Monday's issue of "The Press." In this article Miss Barnicoat gives a description of the Transvaal pavilion, written in her characteristically attractive style. Tlie Transvaal section contains many "exhibita of absorbing interest at the present time, including a representation of a Boer farm.

A DISPUTE ABOUT UNIFORMS.

According to a Wellington telegram, :h. Star Submarine Mining Corps has decided to disband, on the ground that the Defence Department refuses to allow any -Iteration in their uniform.

THE RAILWAYS

According to the railways statement, the revenue frcm passengers thus year exceeds bat of last year by £39,468. and tlie revenue rom excursion fares shows an increase of j39896. School excursions show; a falling-

off. The revenue from parcel., luggage, and mails improved by £2070. In the goods depart—«nt the revenue increased by £112.689. n—inly because of the bountiful harvest in the South Island.

BRITISH COMMERCIAL AGENTS

The '•Gazette" contains a copy of a memo—indem from tl— Foreign Office respecting the appoin—oent of British com-merci-d agents in Ru—ria, Switzeriand, the U—ited States, and Central America for an experiment— period of two years, and feeto be charged by her M*jesty's diplomatic missions for services* rendered by commercial agents in making inquiries for private firms.

THE POSTAL AND TELEGRAPH SERVICE.

The work in tbe Postal and Telegraph Department has increased very steadily, according to the annual report. The revenue of both branches exceeded that of the previous year by £42.475, the rate of increase being 9.55 per cent. Tlie expenditure increased by £250, or 0.06 per cent. This small increase is mainly accounted for by the reduced payment for ocean mails on account of the cessation oi" the Vancouver _ei*vice. The balance of revenue over expenditure was _97,797. as compared with £55,572 for 1898-99. With reference to the agreement with the Eastern Extension Telegraph Company, the report states that the Company was* asked whether it was prepared to sell to the Department the cables between here and Australia; in reply to which the Manager in Au.sti-ala.sia. intimated that they would communicate with his Board. No reply having been received, tbe Agerft-General was reqii—ted to ascertain the cost of manufacturing and laying a new cable between New Zealand and Australia, and satisfactory information has been received on the subject; but pending the laying of the Pacific cable, which would render a Governmentowned cable unnecessary, the question will remain in abeyance.

UNPLEASANTNESS AMONGST DUNEDIN VOLUNTEERS.

A Dunedin correspondent telegraphs: — I have just heard of a little trouble in connection with one Otago volunteer company. Among the officers is one who has made himself rather unpopular b} r reason of liis interfering in things that do not concern him. It is said that on battalion parade or at any time during which his company is out with the others, he is always fussing about putting everyone straight, even officers considerably above him in rank not being secure from his attentions; Recently, it appears, the company to which he belongs Avere having a social function, at which the officers and a number of men of another corps were to be present. All airangements were made for entertaining the visitors, but on the night of the gathering, to the surprise of the company, the visiting officers were taken off to a neighbouring hotel, where special provision had 1 apparently been made for them in advance. Ths company is indignant at the arrangements of the committee being over-ridden, and everything at present points to a storm, and it seems certain that the affair wiM end in some resignations.